ROCHESTER, N.H. – After the game, York High girls’ hockey Coach Kevin Banfield approached Abby Rutt of Scarborough with compliments, telling her how talented she was.

During the game, Banfield did everything he could to make Rutt’s ice time miserable.

The plan worked. York contained Rutt and the teams skated to a 0-0 tie Saturday at the Rochester Ice Arena.

Scarborough, ranked No. 1 in the Western Heal point standings, improved its unbeaten streak to 10 games with an 8-1-2 record.

York, ranked No. 2, had not started 2011 so well (2-2). But now the Wildcats (8-3-1) feel like a contender again.

“We really pulled it together,” said York forward Gabby Boualavanh. “And Olivia (Drew, York’s goalie) was amazing.”

Both goalies stood out, with Drew making 20 saves and Devan Kane 24.

It was only the second time York has been shut out. It was a first for the Red Storm.

The Wildcats followed their scouting report well and did their best to contain Rutt, the most dangerous player in the West. Every time Rutt skated onto the ice, a York player shadowed her.

Boualavanh, and twins Carolina and Julia Hird split the duty on Rutt.

“That was the idea,” Banfield said. “We knew she has beaten everyone else. Abby is one of the best in the state.

“Take her out of the game and we’re pretty even. That showed.”

Rutt took four penalties, including a couple of roughing calls when she was trying to shake loose from her shadow.

“I thought I was just going for the puck,” Rutt said. “I have to keep my head and do what I can.

“But our team isn’t all about me. We’re well-rounded.”

The game’s defensive style was evident from the start, with the first shot on net coming five minutes into the first period.

York had the best opportunity of the period when Nicci Heroux took off on a breakaway. But Kane held her position and swallowed the shot.

Heroux almost had another rush, on a penalty kill, but defenseman Sam Nablo rode her off the puck.

Rutt got off the first two shots of the second period, but the Red Storm’s best chance was a rebound effort by Rachel Wallace. Drew was there for the stop.

The defensive corps for each team excelled — Rutt, Nablo, Riley McKeown and Spencer Shoebottom for Scarborough, and Hannah Keating, Macki Hill, and sisters Sammy and Tori Stocks for York.

When forwards did get through for a shot, Kane and Drew were there, flashing pads and blocking the angles.

In the third period, Sarah Martens of Scarborough got the puck just outside the crease but Drew blocked it.

In overtime, Drew stopped a Wallace one-timer to preserve the shutout.

York outshot Scarborough, 24-20.

“I’m glad we have Devan,” Scarborough Coach Caitlin Cashman said. “York came out hard.

“We got a little bit caught up in the (defense on Rutt). We need to keep moving our feet and get to the net.”

The teams will meet again Feb. 1.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com

 

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